Hey, another update for this fic, finally!!! ;)
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DBZ-fan-JESS- Sorry about the whole chapter 2 mix up. Is it still not coming up for you? If so, let me know. I'll try to figure something out so you can read it. Thanks for reviewing! ;)
Daisy31- Things will be interesting with Yamcha on the scene now, trust me! I'm really happy you like this story. Thanks for reviewing! ;)
Ana- Hey! Thanks a bunches for reviewing. I'm glad you like this! ;)
Seruleyan-Wings- Slacker!!!! hahaha j/k!!! ;) Yeah, I couldn't come up with a good last name for Yamcha, so I just used Roshi, and gave half my reviewers a haeart attack in the process.. hahaha SORRY!!! As for B's hatred of eating dinner with her parents, well she really doesn't get along with them at all. I will go into detail, I promise! ;) Thanks a bunch!!! Luv ya, too!! And the Old Navy sales!!! Oh, man that's what sucks about working there, my paycheck is spent before I get out the door hahahaha!
Erm- Thanks for reviewing. Sorry I haven't updated in a while! ;)
BeckySue- Hey, thanks!!!! Glad you like this story, and I'm gonna try to update quicker! I just get so busy sometimes haha! thanks thanks thanks!!!! ;)
Videlchan313- Wow, thanks. I' glad you think I've made the characters more realistic. That's partly what I'm going for!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! (hugs) ;) So, yeah, I scraed a lot of people with Yamcha's entrance. Sorry!! Thanks again for reading and reviewing, muchly appreciated!!! ;)
Reader- Thanks so much! I'm really happy at how good this story is doing. Thanks for reviewing!!! ;)
The Tragic Priestess Kikyo- Hey, thanks a lot!! ;) Everyone thought it was master roshi, hahaha. Sorry bout that.
Shades of Crimson- (tackles) hey! It feels like it's been such a long time!!! Glad to hear from ya!!! :) I love my cliffhangers! ;) It's okay that you didn't review, I understand, everyone gets super busy, especially me! I can't wait for the second season to come out!!! It's my favorite season! (sigh) oh well, I'll just have to be patient! Thanks for reviewing, and I'm gonna try to update this more often! ;) luv ya!!
Vegeta's baby sister- Hey! Thanks for reviewing. Sorry to do this though. Yamcha and Bulma will be together for a while, but nor forever! Don't worry. This a Bulma/ Vegeta fic!!! ;)
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Chapter 5: Tea Time!
"So, how'd the big date go?" Chichi asked excitedly.
Bulma shrugged and continued to eat her scrambled eggs.
June and Akira glared at her. "Tell us!" They both demanded.
"It was fine," she told them. She looked up at them, biting her bottom lip to keep from smiling.
"Oh my god! I haven't see her glow like that before," Chichi responded happily. "It must have been some date!"
"It was amazing," the blue haired woman finally caved in and told them. Her friends all moved closer to hear all about it. She sighed contently. "He took me to 'Lume di Luna' for dinner."
"Wow, that's a hard place to get into," Akira replied in awe.
Chichi was practically bouncing in her chair. "That's the place that my roommate from culinary school is head chef at!!!"
"That's not all," Bulma said with a grin. "Then he took me to this great cafe by the park. They serve the most amazing desserts there. I was in heaven!"
Suddenly, a huge plate of freshly bakes cinnamon rolls was placed in front of them. Akira looked up at her sister-in-law and frowned. "What are you doing?! Get your pregnant ass in a seat right now, Ausrin!" She turned back toward the kitchen. "Radditz, why is Ausrin doing stuff that you should be doing?!"
"Oh, stop it!" Ausrin placed a hand on her very swollen tummy as she sat down next to Chichi. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying a tray to the table. You act like I'm handicapped!"
Bulma grabbed cinnamon roll. "Hey! Take all the pampering you can get while you still have time! Once you have the kid, you'll be wishing someone would tell you to sit down and not carry stuff," she added with a wink.
Trunks was sitting at the counter looking over his Noam Chomsky book that Jarec had brought back from college signed. "Wow! How was the lecture?" He asked excitedly.
A tall, black haired young man smiled. "It was pretty cool. I'm glad you talked me into going to it. I feel I learned a lot from the experience."
"Got a few girl's numbers, huh?"
Jarec smirked, leaning back against the counter. "Oh yeah!"
Trunks and Goku laughed and shook their heads, but the sound of feminine laughter made them turn toward the group of women sitting at the table behind them. Goku smiled. "Your mom seems really happy. I haven't seen her like that in years," he said to Trunks.
"Yeah, she had a big date on Saturday, and it must have went extremely well," the teen replied, turning back to flip through his book again.
Goku frowned. "You don't seem too thrilled about it."
Trunks sighed, putting the book down and staring hard at the wall. "Maybe it'll change if I ever get to meet the guy, but for now, I just don't want to think about it."
"You still holding out that they'll get back together someday, huh?"
"I guess. I mean, it'd be really great to have them together."
"Your mom deserves a guy that's going to give her the world. What if this guy can?"
"I can't accept that, Goku." Trunks glanced at his mother and frowned. "The only other guy I can see her with is you."
The older man shook his head. "We've been there and done that, kiddo. Me and Bulma just weren't meant to be."
"Hey, everyone," Keelin greeted from the doorway. She ran over to Trunks and gave him a bear hug. "Ah! I'm gonna miss you in school," she told him.
He laughed. "Yeah, I know. Me too!" He hugged her back.
Bulma glanced at her watch and jumped up. "Oh! Trunks, it's 7:20! We've gotta get on the road."
He grabbed his book bag and ran out the door after his mother. "Bye!" He called out over his shoulder.
As they both jumped into their car, they heard their friends shouting 'good luck' and 'see you later!'
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"I can't believe you only showed up ten minutes early?" Lillian Briefs scolded her daughter and grandson. "What were you thinking?!"
Bulma rolled her eyes, following her mother down the long hallway full of chattering students. "What?! Ten minutes early. Shit," she curse, snapping her fingers. "I was going for ten minutes late. You turned the clocks ahead on me, didn't you?" She playfully accused Trunks.
He simply shrugged and smiled. "I am my father's son," he admitted.
"Oh, now you're asking for it, kiddo," she said, grabbing his arm and pulling his upper body dow while trying to mess his hair up.
Lillian gasped, pulling them apart. "Bulma Briefs," she hissed angrily. "Show a little civility, and act your age for the love god," she demanded.
"Mom, calm down. You're far too uptight."
"This is one of the best schools in the United States, and your son will be attending it. As his mother, you are expected to show some manners and possibly the good breeding from which you come from!"
With that said, Lillian stormed off toward the headmaster's office. Bulma leaned closer to her son. "Apparently, we're show dogs now!" Trunks laughed, and Bulma smiled. "Westminster, here I come!"
"Mom, come on." Trunks was fighting to keep from laughing. "I have to be a little serious when I go in there."
"Sorry, but hey," she said, opening the door to the waitingroom where Lillian was waiting. "Seriousness is bred into us Briefs."
Trunks coughed, covering his mouth quickly so his grandmother didn't notice him laughing.
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"Wow, I can't believe that guy is still headmaster! What is he like, 120 years old?"
"I can't believe you mooned your gym instructor, and I never heard of it! Honestly, Bulma."
The blue haired woman laughed. "I can't believe that he remembered that. I did that my freshman year. He had to be like 100 years old when I did that."
"Bulma!"
"Sorry, mom. I wouldn't have done it, but Vegeta and Arthos dared me. It was a matter of pride, of never backing down from a challenge," she defended.
"I don't want to talk to about this anymore. I'm going home to take a nap. I have the most painful headache."
Bulma smiled. "Oh, I love you too, mom."
Lillian glared back. "Friday, seven o'clock," she stated evenly before walking toward her car.
"Oh, thank god," Bulma whispered, thankful to be rid of her mother's evil presence. She glanced at her watch. "9AM." Her eyes drifted toward the parking lot. She had a couple stops to make before she went back home.
----
The doorbell echoed through the first floor of the Ouji mansion several times before Lisdore made it to the door. She was pleasantly surprised by the person standing on the porch. "Bulma?" She smiled. "My dear, look at you. You look amazing."
Bulma smiled. "Thanks, Mrs. Ouji. I love what you've done to your hair. It looks great shorter."
Lisdore smiled and stepped aside. "Thank you. Well, don't just stand there. Get in here. It's freezing outside."
"Thank you." She stepped into the house, finding it funny that the anger she had been saving for Vegeta was suddenly gone in the few seconds she had spent in his step-mother's company. "Oh my! Arthos wasn't joking when he said you were moving to the west coast," she said, seeing several boxes stacked on the far end of the foyer, which was looking very sparse.
"Vegeta and I are getting older, and we thought moving to a warmer climate might do us some good," Lisdore explained. She suddenly changed directions. "Oh, I'm glad you stopped by, too. I was going to leave this with 'Geta to give to you. I know how much you loved this vase."
Bulma looked surprised. "Which vase? You have so many," she reminded with a laugh.
"Tha blue one, well kind of sapphire in color. The one that you told me 'Geta had said."
"Matched my eyes," Bulma finished for her. She smiled fondly at the memory. "It's a beautiful vase."
"Well, I want you to have it. I'm leaving most of my valuables here." She gave Bulma smile. "Don't want them the get broken in the shipping process." She walked on ahead, leading the way into the formal living room. "Of course, 'Geta's not too happy about that. Says he doesn't need all this frivolous junk lying around," she joked.
"What? I was under the impression that he was going to be living with Arthos and Arro in the city."
"He was supposed to, but I talked him into staying here. His father really wants to keep this house in the family."
Bulma nodded, stopping next to Lisdore as she was opening a box. "Don't blame him." She looked around. "I've always loved this place."
Lisdore pulled the fragile blue vase from the box and held it up for Bulma to see. "Here it is," she said.
The mid-morning sun caught the glass at just the right angle, lighting it up with an inner fire. Bulma took it. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, yes, of course! I want you to have it. You're the closest thing I have to a daughter, Bulma."
"Thanks, though I don't think I deserve it."
"We've always loved you, dear, no matter what."
"Which is why I'm so hurt that you didn't think to come to me for the money," Vegeta Sr. spoke up from the doorway. Bulma and Lisdore turned toward him, and he grinned back. Bulma walked over and gave him a hug. "It's about time you stopped by," he admonished playfully.
"I'm sorry," Bulma apologized to him, giving him a quick peck on his cheek. "Things have been so hectic lately."
"So I've heard," he said. "How's my grandson?"
"He's great. Today was his first day at Worthington," she replied happily. "I think he's going to like it."
"If he falls into a crowd like the one you and Vegeta hung out with, then I'm sure he will," he laughed.
Bulma didn't take any offense to his statement, because she knew he meant none. "We certainly had our share of fun there."
"Why don't we go sit down and have some tea," Lisdore said. "Unless you have have plans for this afternoon, dear."
"Oh, no. I just stopped by to see you, and to hopefully catch a glimpse of the infamous Vegeta."
"He's spending the afternoon with his brothers, I'm afraid," Vegeta Sr. told her. "If it's something urgent, I can call his new cell and tell him to get his ass back here."
She laughed. That was what she loved about the Ouji's--no matter how much money they had amassed, they still kept it real. They were civilized, but without that streak of complete snobbishness about them. "No, it's fine. I'm sure I'll catch up with him eventually. I just figured he might want to get together with Trunks sometime soon. The boy's been dying to see him."
Lisdore smiled. "Don't worry about that. 'Geta's been debating on things to do with Trunks for the past couple days." She motioned for Bulma to take a seat next to Vegeta. "I'll be right back with the tea."
Vegeta Sr. watched his wife walk away before he turned back to Bulma. "I know," she interrupted him before he could speak. She looked him in the eye. "I know that you're disappointed in me for going to my parents and not to you or Vegeta. I'm sorry. Things got really messed up for me last week. I panicked."
He shook his head. "No need to apologize. Vegeta hasn't made himself as available to you as he should be. The boy's come far in life since high school, but he still needs to learn his priorities. It's more his fault than he'd like to admitt."
"I still don't know if I would have been able to ask him for the money, even if he had called me back."
"Bulma, I need to tell you something. I've been meaning to say it for a long time, but we've hardly ever had a quiet moment alone."
Just then, Lisdore walked in, carrying a silver tray with a teapot and cups on it. "Here we go," she announced cheerfully.
Bulma exchanged a look with Vegeta Sr., silently vowing to discuss this at a later time.
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Keelin literally tackled him the second he got off the bus. "Tell me everything!"
Trunks groaned. "Ow! I think I've just been stabbed with a pen."
"Tell me about your first day!" His best friend demanded, while sitting ontop of him on the middle of the sidewalk. "Don't make me tickle you!"
He chuckled. "Alright, alright! Get off me first," he begged, finally pulling his bookbag from beneath them.
The pretty little blonde girl shook her head. "Oh, no, Trunks Vegeta Briefs- Ouji!"
"Oooh, she used the whole name," he teased. "What am I going to do now?!"
"That's it!" She beant down and started to tickle him mercilessly. "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"
He howled with laughter, trying to get a hold on her wrists. "Haha, come on, Kee! Stop it! Ha ha."
"I could teach you a few self-defense moves to overcome attackers like her."
Both teens froze, and Trunks pushed Keelin off him. "Dad!" He jumped to his feet with wide eyes. "Uncle Arthos, Uncle Arro. What are you doing here?!"
Keelin stood up on her own, dusting off her clothes. "Thanks a lot, buddy!"
Trunks looked over at her. "Oh, sorry, Kee." He turned back to Vegeta. "Um, dad, this is my best friend Keelin. Kee, this is my dad, Vegeta, and his brothers Arthos and Arro," he introduced.
Arro smirked at Trunks. "Best friend, eh?"
"Yes," Trunks said quickly, trying not to blush. Damn his uncle!
Vegeta shook his head. "Just getting back from school?"
"Yeah, the bus is kind of slow," he admitted with a slight smile.
"Then it's time to get you a car," Vegeta said.
Trunks frowned. "Um, I don't know if mom'll like that."
"Are you crazy, Trunks?!" Keelin chimmed in. "Please tell me you're not passing up on the chance to get a car!"
Arthos looked around. "Is your mother working? I figured she would be here."
"Oh man. You picked a real great time to show up, dad. She's still majorly pissed at you for not calling her back."
Vegeta smirked. "I have my ways with getting her to forgive me," he told his son.
"Keelin! What do you think you're doing talking to strangers," the girl's mother yelled, rushing up the street toward them.
Keelin cursed. "Crap! I gotta go." She grabbed her book bag. "It was nice to finally meet you all," she told Vegeta, Arthos, and Arro. "Call me later and tell me all about Worthington," she told Trunks before running off to intercept her mother.
"Interesting woman," Arro commented.
Trunks laughed. "Yeah, Keelin's mom is a piece of work." He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Well, I was supposed to meet mom at Son's fifteen minutes ago."
Arthos put his arm around his nephew's shoulders. "Then we shall meet the wrath of Bulma along with you, my boy!"
----
"He's late," Bulma panicked. "What if something happened to the bus?!"
Akira rolled her eyes. "B, will you calm down. Trunks is fine," she said, looking up and out the window behind Bulma. She frowned. "Perfectly fine, and walking this way with three very gorgeous men, I might add." She grinned. "I need to take him with me when I go out. He attracts some hotties," she joked.
Bulma turned away from the bar, laughing as the door to the diner opened. Her smile faded instantly into a look of shock. "Vegeta?"
"No way!" Akira leaned over the bar to get a better look since Bulma was now nlocking her view. "Trunks' dad is here?!" She spotted Vegeta. "Whoa."
Trunks smiled. "Hey, mom. Uh, look who I ran into at the square?" He walked over to the bar. "Hey, Akira!"
Akira snapped out of her stupor and smiled at the boy. "Hey. I guess three more cheeseburgers, huh?"
He nodded, and she gave him a quick peck. "Congrats on your first full day," she told him. "Table in the corner's all yours. Pull up the one next to it so your father and his friends have somewhere to sit," she told him before running into the back to inform Radditz that he need to get back to cooking.
Bulma shock her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "What are you doing here?" She asked Vegeta, pulling him toward the other end of the diner. She was grateful it was a slow afternoon. The place was empty except for them.
"I'm not allowed to visit my son?" He whispered back.
"Don't start a fight with me, Vegeta," she warned. "I'm not in the mood to take you on right now."
"I'm buying him a car."
She glared at him. "I just asked you to not start a fight with me. Where do you get off telling me that?"
Vegeta sighed. "He needs one, and he's old enough. I don't see the problem."
"Um, I do? Insurance, car payment, gas money, oil changes," she listed. "I don't have money for that kind of stuff, and neither does my son."
"Our son, Bulma. Our son, and I'll pay for it all," he told her.
She leaned back against the wall and sighed. "I still don't like the idea of it,"she said. Suddenly, her cellphone rang. She reached into her pocket and pulled it out. Reading the caller ID, she cursed and moved away from Vegeta's ever watchful eyes. "Hello?"
He had spotted the ID and an unsettling feeling came over him. He started walking across the diner to sit down at the table with his brothers and son, when Akira emerged from the back. She caught his eye.
"You okay?" She asked.
He had heard Trunks and Bulma mention this woman, Akira, to him quite a few times, and he knew that she was really close to them. He sat down at the bar and pulled out his wallet. "Who's Yamcha Roshi?" He asked quietly, pulling outa credit card and handing it to her. "If they asked what we talked about here, just tell them I was convincing you to let me pay for everyone's dinner, which I am."
Akira stiffled a laugh, nodded, and took his card. "Some guy she met this past weekend. They went out, and I think she had a really great time with him," she whispered back, while processing his card. "I haven't seen her this happy since she went out with my brother. This is the fifth time he's called her today, that I know about."
Vegeta frowned, taking his credit card back. "Thanks," he muttered.
"Hey," she said, gaining his attention. "Maybe I'm getting the wrong vibes here, but for what it's worth, I think you've still got a chance." She handed him a slip of paper. "Here's your receipt."
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They've finally caught up with each other!! Yeah!! I'm so happy.. Now. What was it that Vegeta's dad was wanting to say to Bulma? Will B let Vegeta get Trunks a car? Find out next time!!! ;)
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PANDORA ;)
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Please review! ;)
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DBZ-fan-JESS- Sorry about the whole chapter 2 mix up. Is it still not coming up for you? If so, let me know. I'll try to figure something out so you can read it. Thanks for reviewing! ;)
Daisy31- Things will be interesting with Yamcha on the scene now, trust me! I'm really happy you like this story. Thanks for reviewing! ;)
Ana- Hey! Thanks a bunches for reviewing. I'm glad you like this! ;)
Seruleyan-Wings- Slacker!!!! hahaha j/k!!! ;) Yeah, I couldn't come up with a good last name for Yamcha, so I just used Roshi, and gave half my reviewers a haeart attack in the process.. hahaha SORRY!!! As for B's hatred of eating dinner with her parents, well she really doesn't get along with them at all. I will go into detail, I promise! ;) Thanks a bunch!!! Luv ya, too!! And the Old Navy sales!!! Oh, man that's what sucks about working there, my paycheck is spent before I get out the door hahahaha!
Erm- Thanks for reviewing. Sorry I haven't updated in a while! ;)
BeckySue- Hey, thanks!!!! Glad you like this story, and I'm gonna try to update quicker! I just get so busy sometimes haha! thanks thanks thanks!!!! ;)
Videlchan313- Wow, thanks. I' glad you think I've made the characters more realistic. That's partly what I'm going for!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! (hugs) ;) So, yeah, I scraed a lot of people with Yamcha's entrance. Sorry!! Thanks again for reading and reviewing, muchly appreciated!!! ;)
Reader- Thanks so much! I'm really happy at how good this story is doing. Thanks for reviewing!!! ;)
The Tragic Priestess Kikyo- Hey, thanks a lot!! ;) Everyone thought it was master roshi, hahaha. Sorry bout that.
Shades of Crimson- (tackles) hey! It feels like it's been such a long time!!! Glad to hear from ya!!! :) I love my cliffhangers! ;) It's okay that you didn't review, I understand, everyone gets super busy, especially me! I can't wait for the second season to come out!!! It's my favorite season! (sigh) oh well, I'll just have to be patient! Thanks for reviewing, and I'm gonna try to update this more often! ;) luv ya!!
Vegeta's baby sister- Hey! Thanks for reviewing. Sorry to do this though. Yamcha and Bulma will be together for a while, but nor forever! Don't worry. This a Bulma/ Vegeta fic!!! ;)
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Chapter 5: Tea Time!
"So, how'd the big date go?" Chichi asked excitedly.
Bulma shrugged and continued to eat her scrambled eggs.
June and Akira glared at her. "Tell us!" They both demanded.
"It was fine," she told them. She looked up at them, biting her bottom lip to keep from smiling.
"Oh my god! I haven't see her glow like that before," Chichi responded happily. "It must have been some date!"
"It was amazing," the blue haired woman finally caved in and told them. Her friends all moved closer to hear all about it. She sighed contently. "He took me to 'Lume di Luna' for dinner."
"Wow, that's a hard place to get into," Akira replied in awe.
Chichi was practically bouncing in her chair. "That's the place that my roommate from culinary school is head chef at!!!"
"That's not all," Bulma said with a grin. "Then he took me to this great cafe by the park. They serve the most amazing desserts there. I was in heaven!"
Suddenly, a huge plate of freshly bakes cinnamon rolls was placed in front of them. Akira looked up at her sister-in-law and frowned. "What are you doing?! Get your pregnant ass in a seat right now, Ausrin!" She turned back toward the kitchen. "Radditz, why is Ausrin doing stuff that you should be doing?!"
"Oh, stop it!" Ausrin placed a hand on her very swollen tummy as she sat down next to Chichi. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying a tray to the table. You act like I'm handicapped!"
Bulma grabbed cinnamon roll. "Hey! Take all the pampering you can get while you still have time! Once you have the kid, you'll be wishing someone would tell you to sit down and not carry stuff," she added with a wink.
Trunks was sitting at the counter looking over his Noam Chomsky book that Jarec had brought back from college signed. "Wow! How was the lecture?" He asked excitedly.
A tall, black haired young man smiled. "It was pretty cool. I'm glad you talked me into going to it. I feel I learned a lot from the experience."
"Got a few girl's numbers, huh?"
Jarec smirked, leaning back against the counter. "Oh yeah!"
Trunks and Goku laughed and shook their heads, but the sound of feminine laughter made them turn toward the group of women sitting at the table behind them. Goku smiled. "Your mom seems really happy. I haven't seen her like that in years," he said to Trunks.
"Yeah, she had a big date on Saturday, and it must have went extremely well," the teen replied, turning back to flip through his book again.
Goku frowned. "You don't seem too thrilled about it."
Trunks sighed, putting the book down and staring hard at the wall. "Maybe it'll change if I ever get to meet the guy, but for now, I just don't want to think about it."
"You still holding out that they'll get back together someday, huh?"
"I guess. I mean, it'd be really great to have them together."
"Your mom deserves a guy that's going to give her the world. What if this guy can?"
"I can't accept that, Goku." Trunks glanced at his mother and frowned. "The only other guy I can see her with is you."
The older man shook his head. "We've been there and done that, kiddo. Me and Bulma just weren't meant to be."
"Hey, everyone," Keelin greeted from the doorway. She ran over to Trunks and gave him a bear hug. "Ah! I'm gonna miss you in school," she told him.
He laughed. "Yeah, I know. Me too!" He hugged her back.
Bulma glanced at her watch and jumped up. "Oh! Trunks, it's 7:20! We've gotta get on the road."
He grabbed his book bag and ran out the door after his mother. "Bye!" He called out over his shoulder.
As they both jumped into their car, they heard their friends shouting 'good luck' and 'see you later!'
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"I can't believe you only showed up ten minutes early?" Lillian Briefs scolded her daughter and grandson. "What were you thinking?!"
Bulma rolled her eyes, following her mother down the long hallway full of chattering students. "What?! Ten minutes early. Shit," she curse, snapping her fingers. "I was going for ten minutes late. You turned the clocks ahead on me, didn't you?" She playfully accused Trunks.
He simply shrugged and smiled. "I am my father's son," he admitted.
"Oh, now you're asking for it, kiddo," she said, grabbing his arm and pulling his upper body dow while trying to mess his hair up.
Lillian gasped, pulling them apart. "Bulma Briefs," she hissed angrily. "Show a little civility, and act your age for the love god," she demanded.
"Mom, calm down. You're far too uptight."
"This is one of the best schools in the United States, and your son will be attending it. As his mother, you are expected to show some manners and possibly the good breeding from which you come from!"
With that said, Lillian stormed off toward the headmaster's office. Bulma leaned closer to her son. "Apparently, we're show dogs now!" Trunks laughed, and Bulma smiled. "Westminster, here I come!"
"Mom, come on." Trunks was fighting to keep from laughing. "I have to be a little serious when I go in there."
"Sorry, but hey," she said, opening the door to the waitingroom where Lillian was waiting. "Seriousness is bred into us Briefs."
Trunks coughed, covering his mouth quickly so his grandmother didn't notice him laughing.
----
"Wow, I can't believe that guy is still headmaster! What is he like, 120 years old?"
"I can't believe you mooned your gym instructor, and I never heard of it! Honestly, Bulma."
The blue haired woman laughed. "I can't believe that he remembered that. I did that my freshman year. He had to be like 100 years old when I did that."
"Bulma!"
"Sorry, mom. I wouldn't have done it, but Vegeta and Arthos dared me. It was a matter of pride, of never backing down from a challenge," she defended.
"I don't want to talk to about this anymore. I'm going home to take a nap. I have the most painful headache."
Bulma smiled. "Oh, I love you too, mom."
Lillian glared back. "Friday, seven o'clock," she stated evenly before walking toward her car.
"Oh, thank god," Bulma whispered, thankful to be rid of her mother's evil presence. She glanced at her watch. "9AM." Her eyes drifted toward the parking lot. She had a couple stops to make before she went back home.
----
The doorbell echoed through the first floor of the Ouji mansion several times before Lisdore made it to the door. She was pleasantly surprised by the person standing on the porch. "Bulma?" She smiled. "My dear, look at you. You look amazing."
Bulma smiled. "Thanks, Mrs. Ouji. I love what you've done to your hair. It looks great shorter."
Lisdore smiled and stepped aside. "Thank you. Well, don't just stand there. Get in here. It's freezing outside."
"Thank you." She stepped into the house, finding it funny that the anger she had been saving for Vegeta was suddenly gone in the few seconds she had spent in his step-mother's company. "Oh my! Arthos wasn't joking when he said you were moving to the west coast," she said, seeing several boxes stacked on the far end of the foyer, which was looking very sparse.
"Vegeta and I are getting older, and we thought moving to a warmer climate might do us some good," Lisdore explained. She suddenly changed directions. "Oh, I'm glad you stopped by, too. I was going to leave this with 'Geta to give to you. I know how much you loved this vase."
Bulma looked surprised. "Which vase? You have so many," she reminded with a laugh.
"Tha blue one, well kind of sapphire in color. The one that you told me 'Geta had said."
"Matched my eyes," Bulma finished for her. She smiled fondly at the memory. "It's a beautiful vase."
"Well, I want you to have it. I'm leaving most of my valuables here." She gave Bulma smile. "Don't want them the get broken in the shipping process." She walked on ahead, leading the way into the formal living room. "Of course, 'Geta's not too happy about that. Says he doesn't need all this frivolous junk lying around," she joked.
"What? I was under the impression that he was going to be living with Arthos and Arro in the city."
"He was supposed to, but I talked him into staying here. His father really wants to keep this house in the family."
Bulma nodded, stopping next to Lisdore as she was opening a box. "Don't blame him." She looked around. "I've always loved this place."
Lisdore pulled the fragile blue vase from the box and held it up for Bulma to see. "Here it is," she said.
The mid-morning sun caught the glass at just the right angle, lighting it up with an inner fire. Bulma took it. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, yes, of course! I want you to have it. You're the closest thing I have to a daughter, Bulma."
"Thanks, though I don't think I deserve it."
"We've always loved you, dear, no matter what."
"Which is why I'm so hurt that you didn't think to come to me for the money," Vegeta Sr. spoke up from the doorway. Bulma and Lisdore turned toward him, and he grinned back. Bulma walked over and gave him a hug. "It's about time you stopped by," he admonished playfully.
"I'm sorry," Bulma apologized to him, giving him a quick peck on his cheek. "Things have been so hectic lately."
"So I've heard," he said. "How's my grandson?"
"He's great. Today was his first day at Worthington," she replied happily. "I think he's going to like it."
"If he falls into a crowd like the one you and Vegeta hung out with, then I'm sure he will," he laughed.
Bulma didn't take any offense to his statement, because she knew he meant none. "We certainly had our share of fun there."
"Why don't we go sit down and have some tea," Lisdore said. "Unless you have have plans for this afternoon, dear."
"Oh, no. I just stopped by to see you, and to hopefully catch a glimpse of the infamous Vegeta."
"He's spending the afternoon with his brothers, I'm afraid," Vegeta Sr. told her. "If it's something urgent, I can call his new cell and tell him to get his ass back here."
She laughed. That was what she loved about the Ouji's--no matter how much money they had amassed, they still kept it real. They were civilized, but without that streak of complete snobbishness about them. "No, it's fine. I'm sure I'll catch up with him eventually. I just figured he might want to get together with Trunks sometime soon. The boy's been dying to see him."
Lisdore smiled. "Don't worry about that. 'Geta's been debating on things to do with Trunks for the past couple days." She motioned for Bulma to take a seat next to Vegeta. "I'll be right back with the tea."
Vegeta Sr. watched his wife walk away before he turned back to Bulma. "I know," she interrupted him before he could speak. She looked him in the eye. "I know that you're disappointed in me for going to my parents and not to you or Vegeta. I'm sorry. Things got really messed up for me last week. I panicked."
He shook his head. "No need to apologize. Vegeta hasn't made himself as available to you as he should be. The boy's come far in life since high school, but he still needs to learn his priorities. It's more his fault than he'd like to admitt."
"I still don't know if I would have been able to ask him for the money, even if he had called me back."
"Bulma, I need to tell you something. I've been meaning to say it for a long time, but we've hardly ever had a quiet moment alone."
Just then, Lisdore walked in, carrying a silver tray with a teapot and cups on it. "Here we go," she announced cheerfully.
Bulma exchanged a look with Vegeta Sr., silently vowing to discuss this at a later time.
----
Keelin literally tackled him the second he got off the bus. "Tell me everything!"
Trunks groaned. "Ow! I think I've just been stabbed with a pen."
"Tell me about your first day!" His best friend demanded, while sitting ontop of him on the middle of the sidewalk. "Don't make me tickle you!"
He chuckled. "Alright, alright! Get off me first," he begged, finally pulling his bookbag from beneath them.
The pretty little blonde girl shook her head. "Oh, no, Trunks Vegeta Briefs- Ouji!"
"Oooh, she used the whole name," he teased. "What am I going to do now?!"
"That's it!" She beant down and started to tickle him mercilessly. "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"
He howled with laughter, trying to get a hold on her wrists. "Haha, come on, Kee! Stop it! Ha ha."
"I could teach you a few self-defense moves to overcome attackers like her."
Both teens froze, and Trunks pushed Keelin off him. "Dad!" He jumped to his feet with wide eyes. "Uncle Arthos, Uncle Arro. What are you doing here?!"
Keelin stood up on her own, dusting off her clothes. "Thanks a lot, buddy!"
Trunks looked over at her. "Oh, sorry, Kee." He turned back to Vegeta. "Um, dad, this is my best friend Keelin. Kee, this is my dad, Vegeta, and his brothers Arthos and Arro," he introduced.
Arro smirked at Trunks. "Best friend, eh?"
"Yes," Trunks said quickly, trying not to blush. Damn his uncle!
Vegeta shook his head. "Just getting back from school?"
"Yeah, the bus is kind of slow," he admitted with a slight smile.
"Then it's time to get you a car," Vegeta said.
Trunks frowned. "Um, I don't know if mom'll like that."
"Are you crazy, Trunks?!" Keelin chimmed in. "Please tell me you're not passing up on the chance to get a car!"
Arthos looked around. "Is your mother working? I figured she would be here."
"Oh man. You picked a real great time to show up, dad. She's still majorly pissed at you for not calling her back."
Vegeta smirked. "I have my ways with getting her to forgive me," he told his son.
"Keelin! What do you think you're doing talking to strangers," the girl's mother yelled, rushing up the street toward them.
Keelin cursed. "Crap! I gotta go." She grabbed her book bag. "It was nice to finally meet you all," she told Vegeta, Arthos, and Arro. "Call me later and tell me all about Worthington," she told Trunks before running off to intercept her mother.
"Interesting woman," Arro commented.
Trunks laughed. "Yeah, Keelin's mom is a piece of work." He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Well, I was supposed to meet mom at Son's fifteen minutes ago."
Arthos put his arm around his nephew's shoulders. "Then we shall meet the wrath of Bulma along with you, my boy!"
----
"He's late," Bulma panicked. "What if something happened to the bus?!"
Akira rolled her eyes. "B, will you calm down. Trunks is fine," she said, looking up and out the window behind Bulma. She frowned. "Perfectly fine, and walking this way with three very gorgeous men, I might add." She grinned. "I need to take him with me when I go out. He attracts some hotties," she joked.
Bulma turned away from the bar, laughing as the door to the diner opened. Her smile faded instantly into a look of shock. "Vegeta?"
"No way!" Akira leaned over the bar to get a better look since Bulma was now nlocking her view. "Trunks' dad is here?!" She spotted Vegeta. "Whoa."
Trunks smiled. "Hey, mom. Uh, look who I ran into at the square?" He walked over to the bar. "Hey, Akira!"
Akira snapped out of her stupor and smiled at the boy. "Hey. I guess three more cheeseburgers, huh?"
He nodded, and she gave him a quick peck. "Congrats on your first full day," she told him. "Table in the corner's all yours. Pull up the one next to it so your father and his friends have somewhere to sit," she told him before running into the back to inform Radditz that he need to get back to cooking.
Bulma shock her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "What are you doing here?" She asked Vegeta, pulling him toward the other end of the diner. She was grateful it was a slow afternoon. The place was empty except for them.
"I'm not allowed to visit my son?" He whispered back.
"Don't start a fight with me, Vegeta," she warned. "I'm not in the mood to take you on right now."
"I'm buying him a car."
She glared at him. "I just asked you to not start a fight with me. Where do you get off telling me that?"
Vegeta sighed. "He needs one, and he's old enough. I don't see the problem."
"Um, I do? Insurance, car payment, gas money, oil changes," she listed. "I don't have money for that kind of stuff, and neither does my son."
"Our son, Bulma. Our son, and I'll pay for it all," he told her.
She leaned back against the wall and sighed. "I still don't like the idea of it,"she said. Suddenly, her cellphone rang. She reached into her pocket and pulled it out. Reading the caller ID, she cursed and moved away from Vegeta's ever watchful eyes. "Hello?"
He had spotted the ID and an unsettling feeling came over him. He started walking across the diner to sit down at the table with his brothers and son, when Akira emerged from the back. She caught his eye.
"You okay?" She asked.
He had heard Trunks and Bulma mention this woman, Akira, to him quite a few times, and he knew that she was really close to them. He sat down at the bar and pulled out his wallet. "Who's Yamcha Roshi?" He asked quietly, pulling outa credit card and handing it to her. "If they asked what we talked about here, just tell them I was convincing you to let me pay for everyone's dinner, which I am."
Akira stiffled a laugh, nodded, and took his card. "Some guy she met this past weekend. They went out, and I think she had a really great time with him," she whispered back, while processing his card. "I haven't seen her this happy since she went out with my brother. This is the fifth time he's called her today, that I know about."
Vegeta frowned, taking his credit card back. "Thanks," he muttered.
"Hey," she said, gaining his attention. "Maybe I'm getting the wrong vibes here, but for what it's worth, I think you've still got a chance." She handed him a slip of paper. "Here's your receipt."
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They've finally caught up with each other!! Yeah!! I'm so happy.. Now. What was it that Vegeta's dad was wanting to say to Bulma? Will B let Vegeta get Trunks a car? Find out next time!!! ;)
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PANDORA ;)
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Please review! ;)